Lucknow: The nationwide debate over illegal religious conversions took a dramatic turn as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) intensified its probe against Jamaluddin alias Changur, alleged to be the mastermind behind a vast conversion syndicate. The ED has taken him into five-day custody following a court appearance, even as investigations reveal international funding links spanning Dubai, Qatar, Turkey, and Malaysia.
Foreign Funding, Hawala Network Under Scanner
Sources within the ED and intelligence agencies have confirmed that foreign funds were being routed through religious institutions and NGOs in India to finance conversion activities. Changur’s syndicate allegedly used shell trusts and NGOs operating in Delhi, Hyderabad, Kerala, and Mumbai to channel crores of rupees into the conversion network.
A senior ED official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated:
“We have strong digital evidence, including bank transactions and encrypted communications, that establish Changur’s organized and well-oiled machinery for religious conversions.”
The agency suspects Changur of running a well-coordinated operation akin to a corporate setup, pushing conversions under the guise of welfare programs.
Court Grants 5-Day Custody, ED Had Sought 7
Presenting Changur before a Lucknow court on Monday, the ED had sought seven days of custodial interrogation. The court, however, granted five days of remand. The ED has charged him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, with accusations ranging from illegal conversions to national security threats through unlawful use of foreign funds.
Earlier raids on 15 locations in Balrampur, Lucknow, and Mumbai have yielded substantial evidence, including confidential documents, transaction records, and organizational charts of the suspect network.
Political Tempers Rise
Changur’s arrest has ignited a political storm. Opposition parties accuse the government of politicizing the issue, while the ruling party maintains that the crackdown is vital for national security. Investigators are also probing his alleged connections with banned or suspicious international organizations.
Bulldozers Roll in Balrampur
In a dramatic move invoking the ‘Mafia Model’, the Balrampur administration demolished illegal structures linked to Changur’s relatives. A house belonging to his nephew Sabroz, built on government land, was razed by district authorities. Documents seized from other locations reportedly list foreign fund donors, conversion targets, and allied organizations.
Dark Financers Under Watch
Agencies are now turning their focus to “dark financers”—shadowy entities and individuals believed to be bankrolling the network from abroad. It is suspected that portions of these funds were also used to fuel anti-India propaganda and digital misinformation campaigns.
NIA, IB Also Step In
With critical leads emerging, both the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) are now said to be reviewing the case. Given the cross-border funding and national security implications, Changur’s custody may be extended further to facilitate deeper interrogation.
The investigation is expected to widen in scope as more layers of the conversion-hawala nexus come to light. With national and international angles converging, the case is shaping up to be one of the most high-profile probes of the year.
